NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) must ensure that their residential status is marked as Non resident on the ITD website to open an account. To learn how to update the status, see
Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Zerodha accounts can only be opened offline, unlike resident individual accounts that can be opened online. The documents required to open a Zerodha account as an NRI varies based on the type of NRI account. They are as follows:
- Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) account: A PIS account requires a permission letter from the RBI to buy and sell shares in the Indian markets. The permission letter has to be through one of Zerodha's partner banks (HDFC, IndusInd, IDFC First, Axis, Yes bank). In this account, funds from both NRO (non-repatriable) and NRE (repatriable) bank accounts can be used for investing. To learn what NRO and NRE bank accounts are, see What is the difference between an NRE and NRO bank account?
- Non-PIS account: A Non-PIS account does not require a permission letter from the RBI. In this account, funds only from an NRO bank (any NRO Bank) account can be invested. The Non-PIS account is recommended as it has fewer restrictions, lower costs, and a more effortless investing experience.
To learn the differences between PIS and NON-PIS accounts, see What is the difference between a PIS and a NON-PIS account?
Clients who want to open an NRO-Non-PIS account, NRE-PIS account, or both can fill out the account opening application online and submit it for review before couriering it to Zerodha. To learn how, see Can an NRI account be opened online?
The documents required to open an NRI Zerodha account are:
Application form
NRI account opening form (PDF).
Demat Debit and Pledge Instruction (DDPI), (PDF) allows brokers to debit shares from the demat account. See, What is Demat Debit and Pledge Instruction (DDPI)? Alternatively, shares can be sold without the DDPI using the CDSL TPIN. See How do I generate the CDSL TPIN required to authorise my CNC sell transactions?
FATCA Declaration
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) declaration (PDF). Tax Identification Number (TIN) must be filled in the FATCA declaration. The common TINs are as follows:
TINs for other countries can be found by visiting oecd.org/tax/automatic-exchange/crs-implementation-and-assistance/tax-identification-numbers/.
P.O. Box Declaration
Declaration of P.O. box of your country of residence (PDF).
FEMA Declaration
Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) declaration form (PDF).
Supporting Documents
- A passport-size photograph to affix and sign across on the account opening form.
- Client details and declaration form (PDF).
- Self-attested and notarised copy of the passport:
- In case of an Indian passport, a valid passport with the place of birth as India and a valid visa.
- In case of a foreign passport, a valid passport, visa and the PIO, OCI or resident card.
- Self-attested and notarised copy of the PAN card.
- Self-attested and notarised copy of the overseas address proof. The address proof can be any one of the following: Driving licence, foreign passport, utility bills, a bank statement, banker letter attested by the bank (on the bank's letterhead) (PDF) , rental agreement or lease or sale deed. Mariner’s declaration or certified copy of Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) in case of Merchant Navy NRIs.
- Self-attested copy of the Indian address proof if available.
- A cancelled cheque from the NRO or NRE bank account.
- A self-declaration (PDF) if there is a minor mismatch in the name between the supporting documents.
- The latest immigration copy if the client is in India and submitting the documents to the Zerodha branch or if the notary is being done in India.
- NRIs are mandated to submit income proof while opening an account due to their classification as Clients of Special Category (CSC). To learn more, see Who are Clients of Special Category (CSC), and when must they provide income proof? Income proof can be any of the following:
- Bank statement or passbook for the last six months.
- The latest salary slip.
- Form 16 or Income Tax Return (ITR) acknowledgement.
- Net worth certificate.
- Statement of demat holdings.
If the KYC status of the NRI is non-resident, there is no need to notarise the documents required for opening an account. If it is not, the documents need to be notarised by the Indian embassy or any other competent authority, such as authorised officials of overseas branches of scheduled commercial banks registered in India, public notaries, court magistrates, judges, or the Indian embassy or consulate general in the country where the NRI resides. The attesting authority should affix a verified with original stamp, name, designation, authority or employee code, signature and date on the said documents. To check the KYC status, create a ticket by mentioning your PAN and date of birth. Equity F&O trading is not available by default with NRI accounts. F&O trading requires a Custodial Participant (CP) code with Zerodha partner, Orbis Financial Services for custodial services. See Can a Non-resident Indian (NRI) trade in futures and options (FnO)?
Additional documentation if a PIS account is being opened:
- An NRE or NRO bank account with one of the following banks: HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank, IDFC FIRST Bank, Yes Bank, or Axis Bank.
- Copy of the PIS letter from the bank. To get the PIS letter, see What is a PIS letter, and how to get it?
Sample copy and signature guidelines
Check the NRI signed sample equity form (PDF). Refer to the signature guidelines (PDF) to sign all the forms.
In-person Verification (IPV)
As part of the mandatory In-Person Verification(IPV) requirement for all brokers, a webcam or physical verification is required. See, What is In-Person Verification (IPV), and why is it required?
Need help? Call on 080 4680 5727 or create a ticket.
Clients who want to open an NRO-PIS account can e-mail the soft copy of all the forms to [emailprotected]. The forms will be reviewed in case any corrections are required. After the forms are reviewed, courier the documents along with a cheque in favour of Zerodha Broking Limited for the following amount:
- ₹500 towards Equity trading account opening charges.
Courier all the documents to:
Zerodha,
153/154, 4th Cross, J.P Nagar 4th Phase,
Opp. Clarence Public School,
Bengaluru - 560078
It can take up to 72 working hours to open the account from when Zerodha receives the forms. To learn about the charges applicable for an NRI account, see What are the charges for NRI accounts at Zerodha?
Did you know? As per the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), NRI clients living in blacklisted countries cannot open a Zerodha account, and those living in greylisted countries can open an account only after Zerodha's compliance team approval. To learn more about the FATF list, visit fatf-gafi.org/en/countries/black-and-grey-lists.html
I'm a seasoned financial professional with extensive expertise in the intricacies of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) investment accounts, particularly with a focus on Zerodha, a prominent brokerage platform. My knowledge is grounded in practical experience and an in-depth understanding of the regulatory landscape surrounding NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO).
Residential Status and Account Opening: The article emphasizes the critical need for NRIs and PIOs to mark their residential status as "Non-resident" on the Income Tax Department (ITD) website before opening an account. Notably, the distinction between NRI and resident individual accounts is highlighted, with a key point being that NRI Zerodha accounts can only be opened offline.
Types of NRI Accounts: The article delineates two types of NRI accounts: Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) and Non-PIS accounts. A PIS account necessitates a permission letter from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and allows the use of funds from both Non-Repatriable (NRO) and Repatriable (NRE) bank accounts. On the other hand, a Non-PIS account has fewer restrictions, lower costs, and offers a more straightforward investing experience, requiring funds only from an NRO bank account.
Documentation Requirements: The comprehensive list of documents required for opening an NRI Zerodha account includes an application form, Demat Debit and Pledge Instruction (DDPI), FATCA Declaration, P.O. Box Declaration, FEMA Declaration, and supporting documents such as a passport-size photograph, client details and declaration form, PAN card, overseas and Indian address proof, and a cancelled cheque from the NRO or NRE bank account.
Income Proof and KYC Status: NRIs are mandated to submit income proof, including bank statements, salary slips, Form 16, Income Tax Return (ITR) acknowledgement, net worth certificate, or a statement of demat holdings. The KYC status determines the notarization requirements, and if the status is non-resident, there is no need for notarization.
Equity F&O Trading and Additional Documentation: The article clarifies that Equity F&O trading is not available by default for NRI accounts and requires a Custodial Participant (CP) code with Zerodha partner Orbis Financial Services. Additional documentation is required for PIS accounts, including an NRE or NRO bank account with specified banks and a copy of the PIS letter.
In-Person Verification (IPV): The mandatory In-Person Verification (IPV) process is explained, involving either a webcam or physical verification.
Account Opening Process: Clients can submit the account opening application online, and after review, courier the documents to Zerodha along with the required fees. The article provides the address and details of the charges applicable for an NRI account.
FATF Compliance: A noteworthy point is the adherence to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regulations, where NRI clients in blacklisted countries face restrictions, and those in greylisted countries require approval from Zerodha's compliance team.
For further assistance, clients are directed to contact Zerodha through the provided helpline or by creating a ticket.
In summary, the article covers a broad spectrum of information crucial for NRIs and PIOs looking to open a Zerodha account, providing detailed insights into documentation, account types, and the procedural nuances involved in the process.
